For those who do not know, Ritual were a milestone of the black metal movement in the United States in the early 90’s, a band that aroused controversy. We of Unholy Black Metal have got hold of Robert N., one the minds of that band, and we asked him about the scene and current or future music projects. Here you go!
- Ritual were the first black metal band in the United States. It was 1993 when Ritual were formed. A distance of all these years what it feels like to have been living so important time of the history of American black metal?
It was a good feeling to be part of an emerging scene so shrouded in mystery. I feel that was a big part of the interest for me at the time. I don't think I would have gotten into this style of music had I been born in the internet era. Everyone just has to know everything these days which kills it for me. It was also a frustrating time for me. Band members moving, losing interest, small recording budgets etc.
-What changed in all these years? What do you think of the current US black metal scene?
What changed was the people who listen to it mostly. In LA especially, many bands and scene personalities brought an almost Sunset Strip mentality to it. They were there to mostly mock it and exploit it and most went a long with it. It's so absorbed into popular culture these days I find it hard to take serious.
-What is your relationship with Ian Fleming now? I remember that there had been problems between you two for Ritual
I respectfully declined an offer to rejoin the band recently. He is more of a rock and roll party kind of guy and I am more interested in writing and recording music. I wasn't a fan of the direction he took with the last cd and didn't want to wait another 6 years to work on a follow up. I can't do things I don't believe in anymore just to enjoy local hero status. It works for him, I chose to start something new.
-Would you like to talk to me about black circle? How was it born, what is its history and if its true that you inspired by Ramirez and Charles Manson as the newspapers have written years ago
I was never a part of any e black circles, triangles, etc. Wasn't inspired by either of those guys either. Associations with criminal personalities has caused troubles in my personal life.
-You have been a director of the Xasthur's music video “Walker of Dissonant Worlds”. How was born the idea of making a video with the homeless in LA? What would you like to talk about this work?
The idea was to film something gritty that didn't look like the typical black metal video. I think the homeless idea came directly from the song title. The areas we filmed in where the closest thing to dissonant worlds we could find without using a set. We had no real budget and this was a good solution. I actually filmed a second video for the song Horizon Of Plastic Caskets. I had shot some footage for a 3rd video but it was never completed.
-You still play black metal?
I have a new project I will announce shortly. It pays tribute to mymetal past as well as the honest lyrical approach from the Xasthur acoustic collaboration. My current/resurrected project is Arcane Asylum. Finishing up an ep at the moment then working on the full length. Here's a sample, hoping to have it out within the next few months. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_0RxSGfCxM
Flae Dissa
- Ritual were the first black metal band in the United States. It was 1993 when Ritual were formed. A distance of all these years what it feels like to have been living so important time of the history of American black metal?
It was a good feeling to be part of an emerging scene so shrouded in mystery. I feel that was a big part of the interest for me at the time. I don't think I would have gotten into this style of music had I been born in the internet era. Everyone just has to know everything these days which kills it for me. It was also a frustrating time for me. Band members moving, losing interest, small recording budgets etc.
-What changed in all these years? What do you think of the current US black metal scene?
What changed was the people who listen to it mostly. In LA especially, many bands and scene personalities brought an almost Sunset Strip mentality to it. They were there to mostly mock it and exploit it and most went a long with it. It's so absorbed into popular culture these days I find it hard to take serious.
-What is your relationship with Ian Fleming now? I remember that there had been problems between you two for Ritual
I respectfully declined an offer to rejoin the band recently. He is more of a rock and roll party kind of guy and I am more interested in writing and recording music. I wasn't a fan of the direction he took with the last cd and didn't want to wait another 6 years to work on a follow up. I can't do things I don't believe in anymore just to enjoy local hero status. It works for him, I chose to start something new.
-Would you like to talk to me about black circle? How was it born, what is its history and if its true that you inspired by Ramirez and Charles Manson as the newspapers have written years ago
I was never a part of any e black circles, triangles, etc. Wasn't inspired by either of those guys either. Associations with criminal personalities has caused troubles in my personal life.
-You have been a director of the Xasthur's music video “Walker of Dissonant Worlds”. How was born the idea of making a video with the homeless in LA? What would you like to talk about this work?
The idea was to film something gritty that didn't look like the typical black metal video. I think the homeless idea came directly from the song title. The areas we filmed in where the closest thing to dissonant worlds we could find without using a set. We had no real budget and this was a good solution. I actually filmed a second video for the song Horizon Of Plastic Caskets. I had shot some footage for a 3rd video but it was never completed.
-You still play black metal?
I have a new project I will announce shortly. It pays tribute to mymetal past as well as the honest lyrical approach from the Xasthur acoustic collaboration. My current/resurrected project is Arcane Asylum. Finishing up an ep at the moment then working on the full length. Here's a sample, hoping to have it out within the next few months. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_0RxSGfCxM
Flae Dissa